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The excitement of the Beijing Olympics and the success of Team GB will motivate many of us to become more active this summer and autumn.
Chiropractors formed a vital part of a professional sports treatment team. In Beijing there were Chiropractors from many countries, including the UK, treating athletes participating in a wide variety of sports as part of multi-disciplinary health treatment teams. British Chiropractors are gearing themselves up in preparation for the 2012 Olympics on home soil.
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THE ATHLETE'S CHOICE FOR SPORTS CARE
Many amateur and professional athletes are sidelined with injuries that could be avoided. Others sit it out on the bench because their injury does not respond to ordinary treatment. Still others are playing, but at less than peak efficiency, simply because their structural system is not in balance. Progressive coaches, athletes and doctors are realising that pain killing drugs are not the answer. They merely cover up the symptoms, deceiving the athlete into actions which could make the injury more serious.
Probably more than any other health profession, Chiropractic's approach to health closely relates to the needs of the sports participant. Most sports involve body contact, fast starts and stops and positioning that places an unusual amount of strain on the back and structural system. Chiropractors consider a person as an integrated being, giving special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.
Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so the player enjoys peak performance, a minimum injury risk and fast recuperative powers. Many world class and Olympic athletes, as well as professional stars and teams, have retained Sports Chiropractors to provide care. The Players Association of the NFL has officially incorporated Sports Chiropractors as a regular part of care. Chiropractors have been selected as attending doctors at the Olympic Games and at National and World Championships in track and field, cycling, volleyball, power lifting, aerobics and triathlons.
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Chiropractic for sports injuries and injury prevention
The primary treatment of a Chiropractor is an adjustment to restore proper alignment and function to the spinal joints, thereby restoring the normal nerve transmission and healing potential to the vital structures of the body. Therapeutic exercise, massage, and nutritional support are part of patient care when appropriate. Injuries like sprains (ankle), strains (eg pulled muscles), tendinitis (eg tennis elbow) and bursitis (eg shoulder pain) and joint problems in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot can all be treated effectively with Chiropractic care. As well as speeding up recovery from injury, a Chiropractor can also enhance sporting performance and help to prevent future problems. Maintaining proper alignment will allow athletes to be prepared for their sport. Many of the greatest athletes in the world are adjusted before competition as a ‘tune-up’ in an effort to place their bodies in a state of peak efficiency. Following competition, they are adjusted to enhance the recuperative process after the stress of their particular event. Unlike painkilling drugs, Chiropractic gets behind the cause of an injury, rather than just treating the injury itself. Whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, Chiropractic is beneficial to help you reach the health and sporting goals you aspire to.
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The British Chiropractic Association has some good advice for those thinking about taking up a new sport or extending their fitness regime.
Before you start:
- Make sure you are in good physical health. See your GP for a general check-up to make sure you are fit to take on the new exercise.
- See your Chiropractor for an ‘MOT’ to check that your bones, muscles, tendons are in the right shape to take on the extra exercise. If you have any strains or niggling pain, these should be treated, as they will only come back to haunt you as you increase the pressure on your joints and muscles.
Set your sights
- Set realistic targets, there is no point in over-doing it as this can not only be a recipe for injury, but can also be de-motivating.
- Build up slowly – it will be a lot easier if you build your activity level up very slowly.
Warm up; stay tuned
- Before you start your sporting activity it is important to warm up properly.
- Keep hydrated and consider using a sports electrolyte balanced drink to keep your fluid levels balanced. A healthy, balanced diet will help you have the energy to tackle your new exercise regime.
- You might want to consider Chiropractic treatment as a way of monitoring your progress if you start to participate in any regular sport or activity, as this way, no ‘niggle’ is left to develop into a more serious injury. Having regular check-ups can really help overall fitness development, as any slight pain can be immediately addressed and fixed.
And remember... the adrenaline rush you can get during exercise means that some people push themselves too hard and do not listen to their body’s natural resistance – and often it is only afterwards that damage is revealed. Always stop at the first sign of pain. Generalised aches after sport just means you have worked hard, but localised pain is a warning sign. Ask your Chiropractor to check it out.
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STOP PRESS!
The next date for DEXA scanning for Osteoporosis at Wickford Chiropractic Clinic is Saturday 27 September.
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